How to connect to your Valheim server

You join a Valheim server with its address and port, from the in-game server list, or with a join code when crossplay is on. On Steam, the address is the quickest way in. On Xbox, PlayStation 5, Switch 2 and the other stores, you use the join code.

Before you start

You need three things from the panel:

• The address and port. Copy them from the address card on Overview. They look like vikings.play.wilderack.com:30412. Your port is picked for your server, so it isn’t Valheim’s default port 2456.
• The server password. Ask the owner. It’s set in Settings.
• The wake link, if crossplay is on: play.wilderack.com/w/vikings. It’s on the address card too.

Everyone also needs the same version of Valheim as the server. Your version is in the bottom right corner of the main menu.

Which way to join

A Steam-only server is the default. Turn on crossplay in Settings to let the other platforms in. The crossplay guide explains what changes when you do.

Join by address on Steam

1. Start Valheim and choose your character.
2. Open the Join Game tab.
3. Choose Add server. Older guides call this Join IP.
4. Type the address and port from your address card, like vikings.play.wilderack.com:30412, and confirm.
5. The server now sits in your Favorite list. Select it and choose Connect.
6. Enter the server password.

Next time, open Favorite and connect. This works the same on a Steam Deck.

Join from the Community list

If the owner set the server to show in the list, you can find it by name.

1. Open Join Game and choose the Community tab.
2. Type the server name in the filter box.
3. Select it, choose Connect and enter the password.

A server only shows in the Community list while it’s awake. New servers can take a few minutes to appear. A sleeping server still shows in your Favorite and Recent lists, so adding it once with Add server is the most reliable way.

Join with a join code (crossplay)

When crossplay is on, the server gets a join code, a short number. Players on any platform can use it.

1. Find the code. Anyone already in the game sees it in the pause menu and can tap it to copy it. The owner can also find it in Console, on a log line that mentions the join code.
2. In Valheim, open Join Game and choose Add server.
3. Type the join code and confirm.
4. Select the server, connect and enter the password.

The join code changes every time the server restarts. If a code stops working, get the new one.

Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Switch 2

Players on consoles can only join servers with crossplay on.

• Xbox and Game Pass: crossplay has to be allowed in your Xbox privacy settings. If you can’t find the option, a parent may need to allow it in the family settings.
• PlayStation 5: turn off the game’s PS5 only option, or crossplay servers stay hidden.
• Everyone: use the join code, or look for the server in the Community list.

Will joining wake the server?

On a Steam-only server, yes. Joining wakes it, usually in a couple of seconds. If the first try times out, try once more.

With crossplay on, no. Crossplay joins go through Microsoft’s relay and never reach us, so they can’t wake the server. Open the wake link first, wait until it says the server is awake, then join. You can share the wake link to Discord from the address card.

Can’t connect?

• “Incompatible version”: your game and the server are on different versions. See Incompatible version.
• “Wrong password”: check the password with the owner. See Wrong password.
• “Failed to connect”: the server may be asleep, still starting, or the address is off by a digit. See Failed to connect.
• Console player can’t join: crossplay is off. See the server owner does not allow users from other platforms.
• Can’t find the server: see the server isn’t in the list.